Do they even lift? NomZ and Rhadam train to compete with SNS!

NomZ and I are fortunate to work for the best company in the business, Serious Nutrition Solutions, and what better way to show just what our products can do but run a joint training log. The beauty of this log is that we are both in to competitions, but said competitions are quite opposite. NomZ is a promising powerlifter, and I am just getting in to Physique competitions. I recently participated in a local show and it was an amazing experience, and it's given me new motivation to kill it this offseason. NomZ will be in shortly to give his background. Both of us use some of the same staples, but we differ in a few areas for other supplements. Because SNS' line is so diverse we have a pleathora of options in what we can use depending on the aid we seek. We will document everything from the supplements we're using, our diet, our training, and any other random stuff we think pertinent. We hope to make this log both extremely informative and interesting. Tag along with us as we stay motivated during this offseason!

The photo from May 10 was a bit before my comp and is arguably the best i've ever looked. I've gained some stomach obviously, but i've added 7-8 solid pounds in 2 months.

A bit about me:I started lifting about 3 years ago. I weighed 155 or so and had a lot of trouble gaining weight. I don't talk too much about it, but i suffered from severe depression for about 10 years and as such i feel i wrecked my hormones. I started lifting as a way to cure my depression. I never went to therapy, never touched a prescription to "treat" depression as i feel those pills simply mask the problem no cure it. I hit rock bottom in my life and said enough was enough. I used the gym to fill the void and i've been quite motivated for the last 3 years.

When i started lifting i couldn't gain weight at all. My training was crap, diet was even worse crap but when you are used to eating 1 meal a day and snacking on junk food it's tough to instantly turn things around. After about a year i gained some weight but my second year of lifting i fluctuated a lot. I'd get up to 175 or 180 then drop a bit, then 185 then back down to 170. It was only until i decided to train for a competition that i finally got serious about my diet, and that's when the transformation really happened. I've preached diet as a supp rep, but i didn't have much respect for the diet until it became necessary. When you're 10 weeks out and your coach says "I can tell you're not giving 100% on the diet" it's a kick to the head. When you think about getting on stage and looking like an idiot, it's a lot of motivation to do things right.

As far as training goes, i have a coach. SNS rep wakingmalice is my coach, lover, and friend. He's a genius and amazing coach. The workout split he designes specifically for me has sparked an insane amount of growth, and not only do i look better but i'm stronger and more conditioned than ever before. I suffered from both shoulders being bad from dislocations when i was younger, but suddenly my shoulders blew up and are one of the strongest parts of my body. Because i pay Grant Hamel (wakingmalice) for his services i won't go too in depth with my workouts. He spends his time creating the workouts for the clients, i'd hate to give it away for free. If you're impressed by my progress and could use a coach that will transform your body, give him a PM. He should be in this log shortly.

Lastly, my supplementation is pretty simple, but i'll go in to that when i start posting updates. I stick to what works and is both clinically and anecdotally (by me or trusted bros) validated.

NomZ here, I started training as a freshman in college, though I had no idea what I was doing for another year or so. I got into strength training as my noob self was not growing as a "bodybuilder" years ago. Took me a long time to figure out training and diet, and now I'd say I have it down.

Been plagued by injuries as of late: first got rhabdomyolysis last year and lost 20lbs of muscle in 3 weeks. Now, I'm struggling to get rid of some elbow tendonitis, and have always been dealing with a hypertonic right pec minor that prevents me from benching consistently at all. I pulled my right QL in May as well, and that stopped me from deadlifting/squatting for a month unfortunately.

Right now I'm training with my good friend TheIronOwl, an olympic weightlifter, and as such doing a lot of non-powerlifting movements at the moment. I'll be heading back to school soon, so back to stricter powerlifting soon.

I've had two meets this year so far, and look to do at least one or two more. Best competition lifts are 431/231/562.5 @ 177.6 (181 weight class). Best all time lifts are 455/300/562.5.

Serious Nutrition Solutions Representative
NomZ[at]seriousnutritionsolutions.comAll posts are solely the opinion of myself and do not reflect the views of SNS.

Good luck with both of your competitions fellas! Any solid dates on any of them are still sometime in the future?

Thanks brah, I'm planning on a meet October 6th if all goes well with my injury recover.

I spent the weekend in the Keys, kayak fishing and hanging out. Slept only 4hrs Friday/Saturday night in order to wake at 6am to go fishing for the day. Very productive trip though, 16 barracuda, 2 snappers, 2 needle fish, 1 three foot hound fish, and 1 three foot bonnet head shark caught between myself and my buddy. Was quite exciting when the hound fish jumped out of the water into my lap. All 6" of teeth is scary...

Working on very little sleep and poor diet this session, going to be hard.

Session 1: No supps this session besides coffee for caffeine, saving them for when I need them session two.

The photo from May 10 was a bit before my comp and is arguably the best i've ever looked. I've gained some stomach obviously, but i've added 7-8 solid pounds in 2 months.

A bit about me:
I started lifting about 3 years ago. I weighed 155 or so and had a lot of trouble gaining weight. I don't talk too much about it, but i suffered from severe depression for about 10 years and as such i feel i wrecked my hormones. I started lifting as a way to cure my depression. I never went to therapy, never touched a prescription to "treat" depression as i feel those pills simply mask the problem no cure it. I hit rock bottom in my life and said enough was enough. I used the gym to fill the void and i've been quite motivated for the last 3 years.

When i started lifting i couldn't gain weight at all. My training was crap, diet was even worse crap but when you are used to eating 1 meal a day and snacking on junk food it's tough to instantly turn things around. After about a year i gained some weight but my second year of lifting i fluctuated a lot. I'd get up to 175 or 180 then drop a bit, then 185 then back down to 170. It was only until i decided to train for a competition that i finally got serious about my diet, and that's when the transformation really happened. I've preached diet as a supp rep, but i didn't have much respect for the diet until it became necessary. When you're 10 weeks out and your coach says "I can tell you're not giving 100% on the diet" it's a kick to the head. When you think about getting on stage and looking like an idiot, it's a lot of motivation to do things right.

As far as training goes, i have a coach. SNS rep wakingmalice is my coach, lover, and friend. He's a genius and amazing coach. The workout split he designes specifically for me has sparked an insane amount of growth, and not only do i look better but i'm stronger and more conditioned than ever before. I suffered from both shoulders being bad from dislocations when i was younger, but suddenly my shoulders blew up and are one of the strongest parts of my body. Because i pay Grant Hamel (wakingmalice) for his services i won't go too in depth with my workouts. He spends his time creating the workouts for the clients, i'd hate to give it away for free. If you're impressed by my progress and could use a coach that will transform your body, give him a PM. He should be in this log shortly.

Lastly, my supplementation is pretty simple, but i'll go in to that when i start posting updates. I stick to what works and is both clinically and anecdotally (by me or trusted bros) validated.

I remember you in 2011. I know you put in work too.

Hardcore Purus Labs {Rep}Lift the fücking weight from the floor, or leave it on the ground. The thoughts are supposed to be daunting. The pain is meant to be tormenting.

Thanks brah, I'm planning on a meet October 6th if all goes well with my injury recover.

I spent the weekend in the Keys, kayak fishing and hanging out. Slept only 4hrs Friday/Saturday night in order to wake at 6am to go fishing for the day. Very productive trip though, 16 barracuda, 2 snappers, 2 needle fish, 1 three foot hound fish, and 1 three foot bonnet head shark caught between myself and my buddy. Was quite exciting when the hound fish jumped out of the water into my lap. All 6" of teeth is scary...

Working on very little sleep and poor diet this session, going to be hard.

Session 1: No supps this session besides coffee for caffeine, saving them for when I need them session two....

I love Florida, I haven't been to the keys but I've been to the everglades on an airboat ride and got to wrestle an alligator. Hopefully you'll recover well and perform well by October. It always suck battling back from injuries. BTW, that gym looks awesome, plenty of room and equipment and not a ton of people. Of course that's from the limited view too.

I love Florida, I haven't been to the keys but I've been to the everglades on an airboat ride and got to wrestle an alligator. Hopefully you'll recover well and perform well by October. It always suck battling back from injuries. BTW, that gym looks awesome, plenty of room and equipment and not a ton of people. Of course that's from the limited view too.

Thanks man. Indeed it's amazing, the other half is the same you see plus GHR benches and cable machines I never use.

Originally Posted by StangBanger

yeah whay Gym is that!?!?! private?!?!

Only available to university athletes, and the good friend (me) of the S&C coach who works there.

I think i said earlier, but i'll repeat: i run a 5 day split with 2 days off making it an even 7 days. I have 3 upper body days, and 2 lower body days. Today was day 5 of actual training, which is the last day of my split. The workout is pretty scientific, and percentages and reps and sets vary almost every week. I'll be able to post up most of the lifts as there's probably no way someone could copy this without knowing the reason for what we're doing. I love conjugated splits, you'll see basically what we're doing once i get all 5 days posted. Should be impressive.

I decide every workout what i want to do for abs, calves, tricep and bicep. No sense in really tracking weight as i just go hard every week. Not super focused on that weight going up. Simply going to failure every set.

I'm training to be contest ready by May. There is a local show around the third week of May that i may or may not attend, i'm aiming higher. Middle of May is basically what i'm shooting for.

That should be enough time to do really well. I competed in Colorado's first even men's physique competition and it reaffirmed my decision to stick to bodybuilding and what I know, lol!

Originally Posted by NomZ

Thanks man. Indeed it's amazing, the other half is the same you see plus GHR benches and cable machines I never use.

Only available to university athletes, and the good friend (me) of the S&C coach who works there.
...

Ok so what's a gripper and I was wondering how you modified your DL's? Oh and that's sweet to have access to all that equipment. My university's weight room absolutely sucks.

Originally Posted by Rhadam

...

I decide every workout what i want to do for abs, calves, tricep and bicep. No sense in really tracking weight as i just go hard every week. Not super focused on that weight going up. Simply going to failure every set.

Nice, that's what I do too. I never go into a workout with every set and exercise previously picked out, I know what body part I want to hit and then start doing various exercises to fatigue.

NomZ, i'm new to lifting legs, and i'm hitting them hard 2x a week as you know. I'm moving past 315 for deads, 325 is prlly current max. Starting to get pain in my knees when i DL though... could that be because my weight is too far foreward?

NomZ, i'm new to lifting legs, and i'm hitting them hard 2x a week as you know. I'm moving past 315 for deads, 325 is prlly current max. Starting to get pain in my knees when i DL though... could that be because my weight is too far foreward?

I need to see videos and know type and location of pain. Could be simply that your knees are not warmed up like when you squat due to the limited knee flexion.

New and jumping into 2x could be just too much as well, details pls.

Serious Nutrition Solutions Representative
NomZ[at]seriousnutritionsolutions.comAll posts are solely the opinion of myself and do not reflect the views of SNS.

Woke up feeling just wrecked today, as is the case after most leg workouts. Gets to be a little rough as i'll do most of my workouts before i go to work (bartender) so i'm going hard for 2 hours at the gym, then almost straight to work running around for 5-6 hours. Back is feeling pretty stiff, but not really sore. Would like to get an afternoon workout in and then get some bronzing done by the pool

Thinking maybe i need to keep a better eye on my diet and bump the protein intake up. Haven't been counting calories, just roughly hitting a mark. Weight has been consistant so i know i've been a good judge on total cals, but i think protein has been lacking judging by my lagging recovery.

Followed up with some back work and shoulder work. Then circuit work. Felt good once i got to the gym even though my body was still recovering from a sick leg workout the night before. Happy with a couple new PRs, felt good to get 110 on incline chest.

On my way to the San Jose Fit Expo tonight, will be training with NomZ hopefully tomorrow and maybe Sunday.

Not a ton to report. I'm in San Francisco currently, probably won't be able to lift today, can just use it as one of my 2 off days weekly. I lifted with my bro NomZ yesterday and it was a great learning experience. I've never had anyone help me do certain exercises correctly, and i've never cared enough to look up any of it. Apparently i'm just a huge BRO doing BROlifts.

Anyways, did some upper body stuff, corrected some of my lifts, overall was a great session at the gym. I really appreciate his help, and hopefully now that i'm doing some of this correctly i'll be that much more juicy.

Not a ton to report. I'm in San Francisco currently, probably won't be able to lift today, can just use it as one of my 2 off days weekly. I lifted with my bro NomZ yesterday and it was a great learning experience. I've never had anyone help me do certain exercises correctly, and i've never cared enough to look up any of it. Apparently i'm just a huge BRO doing BROlifts.

Anyways, did some upper body stuff, corrected some of my lifts, overall was a great session at the gym. I really appreciate his help, and hopefully now that i'm doing some of this correctly i'll be that much more juicy.

Glad to be of help, you can always post vids and I can critique from there as well.

I've been training these past few days, but been busy with the Expo w/Rhadam and moving into an apt.

Added a few other leg stuff, knees were feeling it bad. Killer circuit work, 7 exercises for 3 rounds till i had to go outside because i was feeling so sick.

Current weight: 201.8. Body composition isn't great, just keeping the weight on and getting stronger. I'm not super worried about definition as that's a bodyfat issue, and i've got plenty of bodyfat haha. This split keeps getting better and better.

Reps change every week almost, it's a progressive split. I can't talk a lot about my split as i said it's made specifically for me by my coach. Next week i think i'll be doing 6-8 reps on DLs and front squats.